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The Dodgers believe Hyeseong Kim‘s swing mechanics are at the root of his offensive struggles, per Dodger Blue. Kim was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City last month after batting just .174/.250/.174 with three RBI during a prolonged slump at the major league level. The corresponding move was the re-signing of Santiago Espinal, who had been designated for assignment earlier.

Kim came to Los Angeles as one of the more intriguing international signings in recent memory — a contact-oriented infielder out of the KBO who was expected to provide lineup versatility and solid defense up the middle. His early days in a Dodger uniform showed flashes of what the front office liked: quick hands, a compact swing, and an ability to put the ball in play. But that compact swing gradually fell apart. A .174 average isn’t just a cold streak — it suggests something mechanical went sideways. The Dodgers apparently agree. When the bat path changes and the timing drifts, a hitter who relies on contact over power has almost no margin for error. Kim’s inability to generate even extra-base hits (.174 slugging, identical to his batting average) tells you he wasn’t barreling anything. That’s a mechanical red flag, not just bad luck.

Espinal, meanwhile, quietly provides exactly what you need from a utility infielder: defensive reliability across multiple positions and enough bat to not be an automatic out. He’s been around the league, most notably with the Blue Jays, and he knows his role. He’s not going to carry an offense, but he can hold down a spot without hurting you. The Dodgers clearly felt more comfortable with Espinal filling that bench role while Kim works through his issues in Oklahoma City.

The good news here is that the Dodgers have identified a specific problem — swing mechanics — rather than something vaguer like “confidence” or “adjusting to big league pitching.” Mechanical fixes are tangible. The player development staff in OKC can put Kim through drills, adjust his load and bat path, and get real-time feedback through minor league at-bats without the pressure of contributing to a pennant race. That’s the whole point of having a Triple-A affiliate.

I think this is the right call on every level. Kim needed consistent at-bats to rebuild his swing, and the Dodgers needed a roster spot that wasn’t producing negative value. If the mechanics get cleaned up and the results follow at Triple-A, we could absolutely see Kim back in the second half. But for now, Espinal holds the fort, and Kim gets the reps he needs. The organization isn’t giving up on him — they’re just being smart about development versus big league roster construction. That’s a distinction this front office has always been good at making.

Source(s): Staff (Dodger Blue) | First reported: June 10, 2026 7:24 PM UTC

God Bless and Go Dodgers